THE firste head concerneth those first wordes , By the Queene , about the which he examineth whether these so many fierce & cruell lawes , and proclamations ( as he calleth them ) which come out dayly against Catholiques , do proceede of her Maiesties owne inclination and propension or no , or whether by the instigation of others for theire owne commodities , abusing her Maiesties sexe , and age at the beginning , where vnto he rather yeildeth , and nameth fiue , or six principall men , who haue bin the causes and instrumentes of all miserie to Ingland as he tearmeth it , and of the perdition of the realme by theire especiall authority with her Maiestie .

These men he affirmeth to haue bin Sir Nicolas Bacon , Five councelors . and my L. Treasurer , the Earle of Leicester , Sir Francis Walsingham , and Sir Christophor Hatton ; of whome he saith he will tell their beginninges , their entrance with the Queene , their manner of proceeding , their actions , and their endinges , obseruing the order rather of their deathes , and falling , then of their rising to honours , for that he saieth the remembrance of this day is more ioyfull to good men then that of the other , and so for that my L. Treasurer is the onely man of all the five that now liueth , he reserueth his story for the laste place of all .

Of Sir Nicolas Bacon he sheweth how he rose , and Sir Nicolas Bacon how my L. Treasurer and he , the one helping the other , by the assistance of Sir Antony Cooke theire father in law , and Sir Ihon Cheeke King Edwardes schoole-maister , came both first in fauor . That Sir Nicolas Bacons father beinge seruant to the Abbote of Bery , and keeper He Was chief hynde vnto the Abbot . of his sheepe and cattell , put his sonne to Greyes Inne , where first he was vnder-butler , and afterward grew vp higher vntill by the augmentation court , and atturneship of the Wardes he came to be lord keeper , wherein this man ( saith he ) shewed himself so corrupt , and partiall for bribery , as neuer man before , or since in that place : for which he allegeth a protestation also of Plowden the famous lawier , made at the Chauncery barr Bacon beinge present , that he woulde neuer returne thither so long as so cortupte a iudge should sitt in that place , which he performed ; here vnto he addeth diuers other perticularities touchinge the life and death of Sir Nicolas Bacon .

Of my L. of Leicester , and the varietie of fortune Earle of Lecester . which he saw and proued in his life ; how he was borne , and brought vp in all aboundance and felicitie , and after saw himself againe in extreame calamity , his father , and bretheren being put to death , and himfelf condemned to the same lotte , but that fortune turning againe , lifted him vp higher then euer before , but all to the worse , for that he had neuer bin so wicked , yf he had not byn so potent . How he was the sonne of a Duke , brother of a Kinge ; nephew of an esquier , and great grandchild of a Carpenter , as the common fame runneth , which yf it be trew , the Carpenter by all likelyhoode was the happiest man of all the generation ; for that perhaps he was an honeste man , and died in his bedd , whereas all the other perished by violent deathes , for theire wickednes &c.

Of Lecesters entrance in to fauour with her Maiestie , of the begininge of his greatnes , how he firste lefte the Catholique faith , which at the beginning for diuers yeares he fauoured ; of the murdering of his wife at Cunner ; of his adulteries , murders , and rapines , after ; of his dealings in flanders , and miserable death , without heyre , or frind , and of the quicke mariage of lady Lettece after his dispatch .

Of Sir Francis Walsinghams seruing of Leicesters Sir Francis Walsingham . turne in all thinges ; how he was Embassador in France , and how he came to be of the Councell , how he helde a faction againste my L. Treasurer , was a man of hastie , fiery , and cruell nature , especially againste catholiques , spente infinitely vpon spyery , and when matter wanted , filled her Maiesties eares with matters feigned of himself : how God plagued him for his furious crueltie againste catholiques ; how he died in debt , depriued of his greate Idol Sir Philipp Sidney his sonne in law , and strooken in the secret partes of his body , as Eusebius reporteth of Maximus the Tyrant .

After Sir Francis Walsingham , he bringeth vnto the Sir Christophor Hatton . stage Sir Christophor Hatton , whose good nature he commendeth aboue all the rest , and saith that yf he had any feeling of any religion , he thought the catholique to be the trewer , and that so he had signified diuerse wayes in his life time , and that he had vpon sundrie occasions protested moste earnestly in secret to his frendes ( and namely to father William Crighton the Scottishe Iesuite at his deliuerie out of the Tower ) that his hand had neuer subscribed to the death of any one catholique , nor neuer should , which yet this awnsweret thincketh not to be trew , considering his authoritie and place he had in the Councell , and the bitter speeches , which he openly vsed often times in the starre chamber , and other places against catholiques for maintenance of his creditt .

And here by this answerer frameth a certaine consideration how wicked a course this is of the Councell , to sett forward in common a thing so hoatly for the murdering , and persecuting of Catholiques , which most of them in priuate will deny , to their frendes to haue their fingers in , which he sheweth also in other Councellers at this day besides Hatton and namely , and aboue the reste in my L. Treasurer who euer secretly feigned him self to be a moderator and mollefyer of Catholiques afflictions , vntill of late he saith his lordship , hath byn inforced to shewe himself openly theire vnmasked enemy . The like also he sheweth , to haue bin in the Councell of King Edward the sixt , when the Duke of Northumberland , the Earle of Arundell , the Earle of Penbrooke , the L. Pagett , Sir William Peter , and others sate dayly vpon orders to punishe , and extinguishe Catholiques , whose religion notwithstanding at that time both they knew to be trew , and after chose the same to die therin , when they found themselues more free of the bondage of ambition , wherin before they liued . Wherefore he thincketh Sir Christofer Hatton to haue bin most vnhappie euen in these thinges wherein other men doe thinck him fortunate , which are the fauours had with her Maiestie , the causes , begininges , and increase whereof this awnswerer declareth , and finally his death , much subiecte ( as he saith ) to suspicion of poyson , and how the very next day after his death my L. Treasurer triumphed and gat forth this , 〈◊〉 nation againste Catholiques , which he neuer had done yf the other had liued , and the causes why .

In the fifte , and laste place , he commeth to treate of The L. Treasurer . my L. Treasurer , and that much , more largely then of any of the reste , for that he yet liueth , and for that , as this man saith , he more then all the reste together , hath and doeth in deede seeke the destruction of the Catholiques by couert meanes , though whiles the others liued that were more open , he shrowded himself , and his doings now vnder Walsingham , and now vnder Lecester , signifyinge in secrett vnto Catholiques , when they sued vnto him , that they onely were the causes , which since hath bin knowen to haue bin quite contrary , &c.

Of my L. Treasurers pedegrie , and how Cecil his father was grome of the wardrop , and was neuer called maister in all his life vnles it were in iest , & how his mother would neuer suffer her self to be called Mistresse , but after her sonne was made Baron of Burlegh : how my L. Treasurers grandfather was one of the kinges guard , and kept the best Inne in Stamford ; how my L. Treasurer himself is said to haue bene first of al belringer in S. Ihons Colledge in Cambridge , and after grew by learning and cunninge , and by the helpes , and fauoures of Sir Ihon Cheeke , and Sir Antony Cooke , to be secretary to the Duke of Somersett that was protector , to whome he was a stickler to sett him against his owne brother the Admirall , for pleasinge the Duches , and to cutt of his head , as he did , and that he is thoughte to haue bin the principall instrumente to bring in father Latimer , ( that fond and hypocriticall preacher , ) to be an agent as he was , in that barbarous tragedie , and that for this seruice chiefely by the Duches of Somersets procurement to her husband , M. Cecile was made Secretarie to king Edward the sixt .

How afterward he seing Dudley the Earle of warwick Treason against his Maister . to be more cunning and potent then the duke of Somersett his maister , he secretly forsooke , and betraied him , and gaue matter of ouerthrow to warwicke againste him : for which seruice , when the Duke , and his trustie frendes were pulled downe and cut of , maister Cecil was set vp by warwick and brought in to the kinges fauour and counsaile againe : & so he folowed that mans fortune euer after , so long as he stoode in prosperitie , euen to the consenting to the depriuation , and deposition of all king Henry the 8. his children , and nanamely of Queene Mary , and this Queene , against whome this awnswerer saith , that Sir William Cecill wrote , and penned the proclamations and othes , that the Dukes of Northumberland and Suffolke sett forth against them , and woulde haue bene content to haue byn the headsman also himself to haue dispatched them both with his owne handes , at that tyme , rather then they should haue escaped to his losse or disgrace yf Northumberland would haue putt him to it .

How Queene Mary being established in the crowne , Extreme bypocrisie and cosenage . and the Duke of Northumberland beheaded , my L. Treasurer bestirred himself to gett creditt with the Catholiques , frequented Masses , said the Litanies with the prieste , laboured a paire of greate beades , which he continually caried , preached to his parishioners in Stamford , and asked pardon of his errours in king Edwardes tyme ; what he said , and protested to diuers , and namely to Sir Francis Inglefeild ( then of the Councel ) about his beleef of all pointes of the Catholique Roman faith . How he deceaued Cardinal Poole , and persuaded Sir William Peter to resigne vp his office of the Secretariship vnto him , yf Queene Mary would haue admitted the same , who neuer could be persuaded to beleue him .

How M. Cecil being reiected by Queene Mary , he His entrance with this Q. gat to serue the lady Elizabeth , and how he entered with her afterward when she came to the crowne , to persuade her to the change of Religion for his owne interest , against the opinion of other councelors . What reasons he laid for the same , and what great difficulties he founde in the Queene and otherwise , and by what crafte he ouercame them , and how yf he had by byn admitted secretary in Queene Maries tyme , he had neuer sought the change of Religion in this Queenes dayes .

What shiftes and deceites were vsed by him , and M. Bacon in the change of Religion , how the Earle of Arundell was cosened by them with hope of hauing the Queene in mariage , and thereby his sonne in law the Duke of Norfolke gotten to their parte .

How other noble men were persuaded either to giue their consents , or els to absent themselues from the parlament , or els to leaue their voices in the handes of heretiques , and what fraude , breach of order , and aunciente lawes was vsed in choosing these firste burgeses of parlament , and knightes of the shires , and the open violence vsed againste the Bishops , by which meanes this answerer holdeth that this first parlament could haue no validitie or force at all , and yet that al foundations of future treasons in matters of religion were layed in the same , and al other parlaments synce haue depended therof .

How the proceedings of Cecil , and Bacon , seeming M. Cecilesca . peth hanging . at length intolerable vnto the auncient nobilitie of the Realme , they ioyned together in the olde L. Treasurers howse , and concluded to pull them both from her Maiestie by violence , & to hang them at the Coure gate : what the old Earle of Penbrok said in that meeting and how Leicester was also present and consenting to this conclusion , and reuealed all afterward , and how Sir William Cecill escaped the danger by flattering and abusing the Duke of Northfolke with weepinge & fayr promisses and paide him for it afterwad with cutting of of his heade , and how from that day foreward he tooke sure order for pulling downe , & disgracing the olde nobility .

How my L. Treasurer hath gotten in to his owne But aboute some 50. offices in all . power , al the greate offices almoste of the courte , and countrey , and how he playing the Aman as he doeth with the Catholiques , may iustly feare the greate , and high galowes prepared by himself for Mardocheus , and the children of Israel , for that God is as iuste now , as he was then and as potent .

Of Sir Walter Rauleys schoole of Atheisme by the Sir Walter Rawley . waye , and of the Coniurer that is M. thereof , and of the diligence vsed to get young gentlemen to this schoole , where in both Moyses , and our Sauior ; the olde , and new Testamente are iested at , and the schollers taught amonge other thinges , to spell God backwarde .

How miserable a thing it is that her Maiestie descending of so noble progenitours , should be brought to make lawes and proclamations in matters of Religion , according to these mens senses and opinions , & leauing all her olde nobility , and the auncient wisedome , grauitie , and learning which Ingland was wonte to haue , should rule her self by these new vpstarts , and publish edicts so contrary and opposite to all the lawes , & edicts of al the Kings and Queenes that haue bin in Ingland from the firste conuersion thereof vnto this day , as euidently he presumeth to shew ; and with this he endeth this first head of this section .

The second head of this first section .

THE seconde head of this firste Section , is about these first wordes in the tytle of the proclamation , to wit ; A declaration of great troubles pretended against the realme by a number of Seminary priests , and Iesuits &c. about which , reseruing the peculier defence of the priests and Iesuits comming into the Realme , vnto the fourth Section where at large he handleth the same , in this place he taketh vpon him to shew how that the true causes of troubles , feares , and perils towards Ingland , doe not proceede of the comming in of Seminarie priests , and Iesuits that come peaceably , & to yeild their liues , and without intention to hurt any body , but that they come of their accusers , to which purpose he alleageth the fable of the wolf , who drinking at the fountaine , & desiring to haue a quarell against the lambe , that drunke at a brooke farre beneth him , said that he troubled The trew causes of the troubles of Ingland . his water ; also he alleageth the example of Nero that punished the Christians for burninge of Rome , which himself for his pleasure had sett a fire , al which this man applieth saying , that these which now gouerne , finding Ingland quiet , peaceable , strong , rich , fortified with frinds both abroad & at home at their entrance , haue by change of Religion , by troubling , & vexing , & killing subiects at home , and by dryuing others to flye abrode , by breaking all leagues with auncient allies , & by other vnquiet meanes , turned all vpsidowne , and brought al about their owne eares , & now being afraide of that which the murderers of Christe suspected when they said wil you bring this mans blood vpon vs ? They would gladly lay it vpon moste innocente Catholique priests , which haue no part therein .

After this he gathereth together diuers particuler , & speciall causes of the troubles , and dangers of her Maiestie , and Ingland , whereof the first and principall , and roote of al the reste , is ( as he saith ) the greate , and irreconciliable differences , and warres in Religion , not onely with the Catholiques , but especially betwene the protestants , and puritanes them selues , who he saith , are mortall enemy , and would haue bin longe agoe by the cares to to●●●●er had not the feare of the Catholique helde them both in awe . He touchetlt diuers of their bookes written one against the other as Martin Marprelate , Mar Martin ; The worke for the Cooper . The Countercuffe to Martin iunior ; The Owles Almanack ; The Pap with a batchet , or countrycuffe . Discord of heretiques among them selues . The Epistle to Huffe , Ruffe , and snuffe ; in which among other things is affirmed , that the Martinistes or Puritans are much more dangerous for domisticalbroyles , then the Spaniardes for open warres , which this awnswerer also confirineth , for that they muste needes ( as he saith ) hate her Maiestie , & the protestante Councell most deadly , as both by reason , and by their bookes , and by their propositions gathered by R. Alison , and dedicated of late to Sir Thomas Henedge , that no hope remayninge more now of reformation of the Antichristian Church of Ingland ( which they cal Babel ) all are bounde to forsake it , though the prince do inhibit them .

An other danger , and ineuitable peril both of her Incertitud of succession . Maiestie , and the Realme he saith to be the incertitude of the succession , which he saith my L. Treasurer and others haue especially procured , by keeping her Maiestie from mariage against the example of her auncestours , and other princes of Christianitie , and that for their owne interests , thereby to be able to gouerne her Maiestie the better , and to haue her still in their power , as also to be able to shufle the better for the crowne to theire owne frendes when occasion shall be offered , which he proueth at large .

Of the pestilent , and dangerous doctrine of Hacket the late new Christe , and his Prophetes against her Maiestie ; of the vncertaine assurance of Princes estates vpon hereticall doctrine , which theire authors doe varye according to tymes , fancies , & commodities ; as he sheweth by diuers examples of later dayes in Ingland , by Latimer in K. Edwardes reigne , that could applye his conscience and preachingest , the ouerthrow of the L. Admiral Seymer without any cause at all ; Also by Cranmer , Sandes , and Iewell , that were content vnder the Duke of Northumberland to bolster vp Queene lanes tytle , and disinherite her Maiestie that now is ; and by Goodman , who in Queene Maryes time both writ , & preached , that no woman oughte to reigne , with a comparison of the Catholique contrary doctrine and doctors in this behalf , and of theire modestie , constancy , and certayne rule of conscience , far different from heretiques in these affaires ,

And finally he concludeth this head with a large proof and declaration , that by no law of Christian conscience , nor by any reasonable consequence or illation , can this coming in of priests in so peaceable , and apostolicall sorte , as they do come , be accompted treason , and that the Turke , More , or Persian doeth not make this consequence against the lewesior Christians , that liue vnder them ; & that of all other infelicities this is the greatest , Great infelicitie . that her Maiestie shoulde be brought to accompte such men , so borne , and so brought vp , so learned , wise , vertuous , and modest , and so determined to dy in Gods , and her Maiesties seruice , yf she would accepte it , to be her mortal enemies ; and of this he saith much .

The third head of this Section .

THE third head of this Section is about these wordes Insufficient prouision . in the tytle of the proclamation , with a prouision very necessary for remedie thereof &c. Shewing that this prouision sett downe by my L. Treasurers witt in this proclamation is moste insufficient for the remedie pretented , but rather to make the sore farr worses for seing it is the very same prouision , and no other then Antiochus , Herod , Nero , Decius , Diocletian , and other tyrantes , and persecutours inuented against gods seruants in olde tymes , to wit , founded onely vpon crueltie , tyrannie , and false surmysed crimes , it can haue no other ende or effecte , then theirs had , which was the destruction of the deuisers , and happines of the sufferers .

That the old persecutours edicts against Christians , though they pretended treasons as this doeth , yet were they more moderate , and discreet in willing onely such to be punished as were accused , or knowen publiquely to offend , & not to turne vpsid-downe their estates , & Kingdomes with such searching and reuoluing both of towne citie & countrie as this proclamation prescribeth , leauing neither village , howse , nor common Inne vntossed , which to all the world must needes seeme extreame barbarous , and to the very protestants themselues at home intolerable . who must needs also be sought , & examined as well as others , excepte they alwayes cary their pasportes with them in their pocketts , & ride vp & downe Ingland , as they would passe thorough Turky .

Of the miserable endes of all common wealthes , and gouernours that haue growen to these extremities in gouernment ; and that it is impossible for Ingland and her Maiestie to auoide the same , yf this violente course be vsed to driue men to desperation . That all the solicitude vsed to extinguish Catholique Religion by persecution is meere follie ; and that all is very poison to the wounde which my L. Treasurer vseth for medicine , that a little time wil proue this to be true , with an exhortation to her Maiestie to take some other course both for sauing the Realme , and those that stand at the gouernmente thereof .